Salary schedule, class size top priority list at MUSD

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Every school district has budget needs. Brainstorming a list is easy, but prioritizing scores of issues down to a handful is a task for the Meet and Confer Committee.

Maricopa Unified School District’s committee has been meeting regularly this fall. Wednesday, Tom Beckett, the district’s Human Resources director, updated the governing board on the committee’s progress.

The salary schedule, he said, was the top topic identified. A separate committee has now been formed to address the issue.

Items already climbing to the top of Meet and Confer’s list are class size reduction, staff training, front office work schedules, employee morale, evaluations for 301, the number of assessments and communication improvements.

When asked by board member Patti Coutre how items made the list in the first place, Beckett said the committee initially made a “grocery list.” They then voted, and the top vote-getters ended up on the list for the rating exercise. Those recommended as priorities will go to the Budget Committee. Final recommendations go to the superintendent next semester.

“Members are engaged. I feel very, very positive about their role,” Beckett said. “Many have worked hard to get the word out.”

Board member AnnaMarie Knorr said the committee work is helpful in the budget process. But she called some items simple fixes that are not budgetary.

***ADVERTISEMENT***The new committee on the certified salary schedule will meet Nov. 19 to explore options such as step schedules.

Board member Scott Bartle urged Beckett to have them look outside public education for best practices in other industry.